Dosas at Hampton Chutney Co. in Soho

This is probably the closest I’ll ever get to the anything-Hampton:

I’ve always intended to check out Hampton Chutney Co., but I somehow find myself planting myself inside Ruby’s nearby (any excuse I can make for their Blueys sandwich and pumpkin salad I guess). It’s kind of a shame I do that, because the whole area is lined with so many different restaurants. On a recent shopping trip to Soho though, I finally decided to stop in and try some of their dosas (think a rice-and-lentil flour crepe stuffed with savory potatoes and other veggies).

Our server was particularly helpful in navigating their menu of mostly greens. It has a long list of pretty untraditional contents you’d normally find in a dosa. In India, it’s usually spiced potatoes, onions, and other chutneys. Here, there have variations that include goat cheese, arugula, avocado, spinach, roasted tomatoes, etc. I felt like it was a Western-take on dosas. I ordered their #5, avocado, fresh tomatoes, arugula, jack cheese, and chicken; my friend went with the #12 with grilled chicken, goat cheese, spinach and roasted tomatoes. You have a choice to order your dosas with a side of chutney (cilantro, mango, curry, tomato, or peanut). We both went with mango.

I felt like I was looking at a work of art when I opened up my dosa. Plus the ingredients were incredibly fresh and healthy. But here’s the thing: compared to REAL Indian dosas, these don’t come close in taste. Granted, we ordered very non-traditional dosas to begin with, and I can appreciate the spin and unique taste as far as that goes. But what you see is what you get here: a very non-Indian restaurant with Indian-chant music and pictures of yogis everywhere, serving under-whelming chai and Americanized chutneys. If you’re looking for more traditional dosas, go to Saravana Bhavan (it’s a chain here, but their dosas will make your tongue burn in a good way…if you can handle it). Also the chutney was a little sweet but it didn’t give it a whole lot more flavor. And you’re only given a small cup of it. If you’re giving me chutney, I need enough to pour it all over my food. Like the huge bowl I had with my dosas during my last visit to India…OMG just looking at them, I’m reminded on how they would blow these out of the water.

So comparatively, it’s a lot more mild than the real thing. But I also think they’re catering to a specific clientele, and that’s probably not from the motherland. That’s my only gripe. I certainly didn’t hate it — the veggies were quality and it was a protein-full meal. But I kinda got what I expected.

Restaurant Info:
Hampton Chutney Co.
68 Prince St.,
between Crosby and Lafayette St.
New York, NY 10012
Soho

REPORT CARD
Meal: Lunch
Occasion: A well-deserved shopping break.
Price: $$
(Out of three stars)
Ambiance: **
Food: **
Service: ***
Would I go back: I think once was enough…there are so many other places I rather check out in Soho next time.

x
Shy

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